The apartment remained quiet after Willow left. The boy stayed where he was sitting on the couch. The cat lay beside him..it's soft purring the only sound in the room. His hand moved slowly through it's fur.
Time passed.
He didn't know how long. Eventually, he stood up. The room felt quieter since the windows were closed now.
He went down the short hallway and into the bathroom. The lights flickered faintly as he turned it on.
He stepped closer to the mirror. For a moment, he just stared at his reflection, which looked really off. His eyes were heavy, dark circles beneath them. His face looked tired. Like someone who hasn't slept in days.
He leaned a little closer, studying himself.
Slowly, his gaze dropped to his arm. He lifted it to look at it in the mirror.
The bandages were still clean.
Carefully wrapped.
He reached out with his other hand and pressed it lightly.
Nothing.
No pain or discomfort.
He touched it again. Still no pain.
"Why..."
Static broke the silence. The sound came from the living room. The radio.
He turned quickly and went to the living room in quick strides. He reached the couch and grabbed the radio.
"....llow?....you hear me...?"
The voice was broken and distorted but familiar.
The boy's eyes widened slightly.
"Nathan?"
The signal crackled again.
"....it's me ...don't. ..."
The voice cut in and out.
"Don't.....out..."
Static swallowed the rest.
The boy's grip on the radio tightened.
He responded in a low voice.
" I can't....I can't hear you. Are you okay?"
No words came through after that.
Then....
The signal died completely. The room felt heavier. And the boy stood there, the radio in his hand.
The cat jumped down from the couch. It's body stiff and it's eyes fixed towards the door.
A sound broke the silence.
Footsteps...heavy...slow
From outside the apartment. The boy froze. His breath hitched..
That....wasn't Willow.
The footsteps came closer.
For a moment, he stayed where he was. His eyes fixed on the door. Then his gaze shifted towards the big bags. There were several of them stacked near the wall.
He hesitated before moving. He quickly crouched down and started searching for something.
The door creaked open.
His hand grabbed something and pointed it towards the door. It almost looked like a gun but not exactly.
A large figure filled the doorway.
A man.
Tall. Broad. A thick beard on his face.
He stepped inside like he belonged there.
His eyes landed on the boy, then on the weapon on his hands.
The boy didn't lower it. His arms were slightly trembling as he kept it aimed.
For a moment, none of them moved. Then the man smiled.
"Easy. I'm not a monster"
The boy didn't respond. Something felt wrong about this man. And he didn't want to risk it like he did before.
The man took another step forward.
The boy's hands tightened.
"Don't...Don't come closer."
The man's smile faded. Just a little.
"Kid, you better drop the weapon."
The boy stayed aiming.
"Don't make this hard."
The boy felt confused.
"What....Are you the military?"
The question came out quieter than he expected.
The man blinked and let out a low chuckle.
"Military?...Do I look like military to you?"
The boy didn't answer.
The man shook his head, the faint smile on his face.
"No."
The word came out simple and flat.
The man looked serious now.
"I warned you."
Something felt wrong.
Then....
A sharp sting. Right on his shoulder. The boy flinched.
"What..?"
He reached up instinctively his other hand still holding the gun.
His fingers brushed against something small.
Thin...feels like metal.
His breath caught as he pulled it out, and stared at it for a split second.
Then the world shifted. His vision blurred. The room tilted slightly.
"...what did you...?"
His voice came out low and unsteady.
The man didn't answer.
The boy took a step back. His legs felt weak.
Too weak.
The edges of his vision darkened. The weapon slipped from his hand.
His knees buckled.
And the last thing he saw was the man stepping closer.
....thud....